Last time I looked, we as Americans have a right to choose our actions. Tim had his reasons and has the right to make the choice. Let's focus on Tim's conduct within the community and on the ice. Last time I looked, he was stellar in both areas.
What an idiot. Who does he think he is Marlon Brando?
He thinks he has a valid complaint? How about sports figures being way overpaid for what they do. Tim, how about donating 90% of your salary to offset the 'out of control' player salaries?
Tim has got a right to his opinion. But it's a shame that, whereas Bruins teammates from other countries felt honored to be invited to the White House and gladly attended, one of the two American citizens on the team chose to make this about his own political views. A great athlete and a normally classy guy made a mistake that embarassed both himself and this very special championship team.
It is not about Tim Thomas but the nation's president honoring the Boston Bruins. What he did was disrespectful to the Bruins organization as well as a war time commander in chief. Maybe it's too many slapshots to the head that is the reason or too much listening to Gen Beck.
When I was in radio, I sometimes had to do news, and cover politicians with whom I disagreed. I hope I was fair to them, as it would be a disgrace to my profession to let my personal views affect my reporting. Further, when I was a disc jockey, I had a chance to meet President Reagan (for whom I did not vote and whose policies I personally opposed) at a conference. I attended his talk and was thrilled to be there. I mean, it's the president. I was raised in a working class family in Dorchester, and here I am years later, attending a talk by the president-- I thought it was an amazing opportunity, so I put my political views aside and enjoyed the experience of being there.
And THAT is why I am so saddened by Tim Thomas. This was a day to accept the honor (and it is an honor) of visiting the White House, and to show respect for the office of the presidency. It was not about Tim's political views, nor should it have been. It was about a goalie from Michigan who was invited to meet a president. How disrespectful to make it about his personal objections to government or politics. Yes, he had the right to refuse to attend, but it was the wrong thing to do. He should have gone with his team-mates and represented the Bruins (and the fans). That he chose not to do so is a sad commentary on where we are as a country.
And I also note with sadness some of the comments on boston.com, which praised Thomas for what certain commenters perceived as somehow sticking it to Obama. It's further evidence that we are living in a time when being rude is considered praise-worthy. I would hope that whether it was Obama, Bush, or whoever, people would understand the need to respect what the president represents-- our country. Commenters, I respect your freedom of speech, but you are glorifying being disrespectful. Somehow, I don't see that as something to be proud of.
Mr Thomas, we are all Americans. The White House belongs to all of us. Your individual choice is yours to make, but I for one do not take it kindly. You were invited to the White House as part of a team that was being honored for its achievements. You chose to decline that honor. It is very difficult to understand or accept that this was a non-partisan gesture of disapproval. Perhaps your sensibilities are also offended when you hand over your US passport when returning to these United States. How do you justify paying your taxes, given these strong feelings? Your considerable salary helps to support the government that you despise I am old enough to remember the phrase Love it or leave it, and I hated hearing it then. I will not repeat that odious phrase. However, you would do better to articulate your specific concerns and complaints with the present state of our union, than to rebuff what nearly all Americans would welcome and treasure. I am very disappointed in this gesture and think less of you for it.
I'm more proud of him than ever. He had the guts to make a statement based on his own personal values. Not sure what's with the Glen Beck references and honestly, I have grown to dislike Beck as I have Jay Severin. This isn't about those guys. This was about one man making a decision for himself and doing it with class. Good for you Tim!
The President serves two roles in a country without a Prime Minster or a King. He a political leader, but he is also the Head of State who represents the country itself. It's perfectly okay to disagree with the President's politics, but to denigrate the Office of the Presidency is to denigrate the country. MY country. The country I love, whoever is serving in the office. Tim Thomas doesn't love this country. He only loves himself.
Well said. Check out the comments at the Herald and see how Thomas' gesture is being perceived by their readers. If his intent was truly non-partisan in nature, then he has seriously miscalculated how it would be interpreted. If he truly meant no insult to the duly elected President of these United States, then he needs to disavow those who have misread him. Unfortunately, sadly, I think that they have read him all too well.
Ingrate. Incredible to show so little respect for the head of state of his country, which has given him so much, while his largely Canadian teammates showed the courtesy. I commend Luke 17:11-19 to him.
What a flipping disrespectful jerk. Will someone tell me what rights, liberties and property. Hello? Property?
This must be related to the Bush presidency and their ability to tap anyone's phone. Go back home and turn on Fox propaganda.
The jerk store just called and they ran outta you!
Comments
Thomas did not attend...F him...Punk!!
Big Mistake. And, that's what you get listening to Glenn Beck for too long.
Last time I looked, we as Americans have a right to choose our actions. Tim had his reasons and has the right to make the choice. Let's focus on Tim's conduct within the community and on the ice. Last time I looked, he was stellar in both areas.
Didn't knowq he was such a nut job....go figure, one too many pucks to the head I guess.
What an idiot. Who does he think he is Marlon Brando? He thinks he has a valid complaint? How about sports figures being way overpaid for what they do. Tim, how about donating 90% of your salary to offset the 'out of control' player salaries?
Tim Thomas is a hero. God bless him.
Tim has got a right to his opinion. But it's a shame that, whereas Bruins teammates from other countries felt honored to be invited to the White House and gladly attended, one of the two American citizens on the team chose to make this about his own political views. A great athlete and a normally classy guy made a mistake that embarassed both himself and this very special championship team.
It is not about Tim Thomas but the nation's president honoring the Boston Bruins. What he did was disrespectful to the Bruins organization as well as a war time commander in chief. Maybe it's too many slapshots to the head that is the reason or too much listening to Gen Beck.
When I was in radio, I sometimes had to do news, and cover politicians with whom I disagreed. I hope I was fair to them, as it would be a disgrace to my profession to let my personal views affect my reporting. Further, when I was a disc jockey, I had a chance to meet President Reagan (for whom I did not vote and whose policies I personally opposed) at a conference. I attended his talk and was thrilled to be there. I mean, it's the president. I was raised in a working class family in Dorchester, and here I am years later, attending a talk by the president-- I thought it was an amazing opportunity, so I put my political views aside and enjoyed the experience of being there. And THAT is why I am so saddened by Tim Thomas. This was a day to accept the honor (and it is an honor) of visiting the White House, and to show respect for the office of the presidency. It was not about Tim's political views, nor should it have been. It was about a goalie from Michigan who was invited to meet a president. How disrespectful to make it about his personal objections to government or politics. Yes, he had the right to refuse to attend, but it was the wrong thing to do. He should have gone with his team-mates and represented the Bruins (and the fans). That he chose not to do so is a sad commentary on where we are as a country. And I also note with sadness some of the comments on boston.com, which praised Thomas for what certain commenters perceived as somehow sticking it to Obama. It's further evidence that we are living in a time when being rude is considered praise-worthy. I would hope that whether it was Obama, Bush, or whoever, people would understand the need to respect what the president represents-- our country. Commenters, I respect your freedom of speech, but you are glorifying being disrespectful. Somehow, I don't see that as something to be proud of.
Mr Thomas, we are all Americans. The White House belongs to all of us. Your individual choice is yours to make, but I for one do not take it kindly. You were invited to the White House as part of a team that was being honored for its achievements. You chose to decline that honor. It is very difficult to understand or accept that this was a non-partisan gesture of disapproval. Perhaps your sensibilities are also offended when you hand over your US passport when returning to these United States. How do you justify paying your taxes, given these strong feelings? Your considerable salary helps to support the government that you despise I am old enough to remember the phrase Love it or leave it, and I hated hearing it then. I will not repeat that odious phrase. However, you would do better to articulate your specific concerns and complaints with the present state of our union, than to rebuff what nearly all Americans would welcome and treasure. I am very disappointed in this gesture and think less of you for it.
I'm more proud of him than ever. He had the guts to make a statement based on his own personal values. Not sure what's with the Glen Beck references and honestly, I have grown to dislike Beck as I have Jay Severin. This isn't about those guys. This was about one man making a decision for himself and doing it with class. Good for you Tim!
The President serves two roles in a country without a Prime Minster or a King. He a political leader, but he is also the Head of State who represents the country itself. It's perfectly okay to disagree with the President's politics, but to denigrate the Office of the Presidency is to denigrate the country. MY country. The country I love, whoever is serving in the office. Tim Thomas doesn't love this country. He only loves himself.
Well said. Check out the comments at the Herald and see how Thomas' gesture is being perceived by their readers. If his intent was truly non-partisan in nature, then he has seriously miscalculated how it would be interpreted. If he truly meant no insult to the duly elected President of these United States, then he needs to disavow those who have misread him. Unfortunately, sadly, I think that they have read him all too well.
Certainly he has the right to make that choice, and just as certainly we have the right to judge that choice as inappropriate, rude and un-American.
Ingrate. Incredible to show so little respect for the head of state of his country, which has given him so much, while his largely Canadian teammates showed the courtesy. I commend Luke 17:11-19 to him.
What a flipping disrespectful jerk. Will someone tell me what rights, liberties and property. Hello? Property? This must be related to the Bush presidency and their ability to tap anyone's phone. Go back home and turn on Fox propaganda. The jerk store just called and they ran outta you!